What DVD have you just watched?

I caught most of this timely showing on cable today. First time seeing it and my attention was a bit divided. Decent enough as docudramas go, this from 1987. 

Eighteenth-century Armenian poet Sayat Nova parlayed his influence as a performer in Heraclius II's court to foster peace between Russia and its neighbors. This biopic follows his life from humble carpet weaver to archbishop to national treasure.

I finally bought a copy of Cabaret on BluRay, and thoroughly enjoyed watching it last night, after a long break from indulging in its pleasures. For those around when it premiered, I'm sure you remember the stir it caused, totally breaking the mould of musicals which, up until then, were all nice, jolly,  boy-meets-girl type efforts. Cabaret is about the rise of the Third Reich in 1938, seen through the eyes of the decadent patrons of the Berlin Kit-Kat club, and has stunning central performances from Liza Minnelli and Joel Gray.

It's a work of sheer genius by the director Bob Fosse, and has some spine-chilling moments when it suddenly switches from pleasant musical interludes to juxtapose Nazis persecuting jews and beating up dissenters. The choreography, as you might imagine, is truly superb.

An absolute masterpiece in so many ways. I think I'll watch it again tonight! 

I watched '71 on DVD last night, courtesy of Lovefilm.  For once the hype is spot on.  This really is a gripping film, and a remarkable directorial debut for Yann Demange, pinning you to the edge of your seat, while also keeping your brain engaged throughout.  Highly recommended.

We watched this the other night, in 3D. It's a real shame more films aren't mastered for 3D to the standard of this one - it's superb and totally immersive.

Having read the book previously we were pleased to see how closely the film followed it. A great watch, hugely enjoyable with a nice quirky humour running through it.

Richard Dane posted:

I watched '71 on DVD last night, courtesy of Lovefilm.  For once the hype is spot on.  This really is a gripping film, and a remarkable directorial debut for Yann Demange, pinning you to the edge of your seat, while also keeping your brain engaged throughout.  Highly recommended.

I agree Richard, a brilliant film that makes a superb fist of creating the atmosphere of Northern Ireland during "The Troubles".

tonym posted:

We watched this the other night, in 3D. It's a real shame more films aren't mastered for 3D to the standard of this one - it's superb and totally immersive.

Having read the book previously we were pleased to see how closely the film followed it. A great watch, hugely enjoyable with a nice quirky humour running through it.

Yep, liked it. As ever, the film doesn't quite live up to the novel of course. I read the book some time back and really enjoyed it, the problem generation and solving was gripping. I seem to remember recommending it to the forum...

Only managed to watch the first 3 discs today. Hopefully watch the other 2 tomorrow.

I'm surprised at you Matt.

You could have listened to three of four good LPs in the time it took to watch that

Must get the soundtrack

The Lion in Winter

Been a couple of years since I last re-watched this, but what a masterpiece; great cast of superlative actors. I confess that I had forgotten this was a John Barry score and, although I think I could pick a Barry score from one hundred paces, I wouldn't have known this without the credit; very good, and certainly I think more fitting for an oscar than Dances With Wolves - even though that does boast the John Dunbar motif.

If you've never watched this do yourself a favour.

M

A Vienna museum guard befriends an enigmatic visitor, the grand Kunsthistorisches Museum becomes a crossroads that sparks explorations of their lives, the city, and the ways art reflect and shape the world.

A sensitive and illuminating tale.

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars.   circa 1936

Watched this last night and enjoyed it. LaBeouf's best role I've seen so far.  Tom Hardy's taciturn, grumpy character seemed well suited.  The only disappointment was the sparing use of Gary Oldman.

Kind of an interesting mix of classic western and horror genres.

On Sky+:-

Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, we really enjoyed this, funny with pathos to great cast and well acted. You could almost smell the curries in the background.  

Yes, It's old; yes, it's very class-orientated 'English'; yes, the special effects are lame; yes, the dog has a politically incorrect name; and I've watched it loads of times.  But I still enjoy it. 

I know this wasn't supposed to be any great shakes but perhaps I'm not very discerning because I really enjoyed it, more like an old-style Bond movie than the last couple have been. For those with surround sound systems, its 7.1 surround mix is staggeringly good.

Harmless fun with some lovely dry humour to carry it along.

Well I must be undiscerning too, Tony, because I enjoyed this at the cinema and will buy the Blueray of Spectre when I get the chance.

Mike 

Hi Tony and Mike,

I watched this on Blu-ray and agree the sound is very good, even through 2 channel via the hi-fi.

As to the film, I was disappointed as post Skyfall I thought the idea was to refresh the franchise. Spectre is full of Bond clichés (as Tony suggests) and I, alongside several of my friends, think the franchise is now dated and lacking in invention and story writing.

3/5 for me  -  a good romp but linking together a slew of action scenes, with big pyrotechnics sets, leads me to think 'can do better',

IMV one of the best programmes about for a bit of escapism (well I hope it is...GCHQ and all that) - currently showing on C5 but I couldn't wait. I would suggest anyone new to this should start at the beginning, as it's been quite a ride.

Happy Listener posted:

Hi Tony and Mike,

I watched this on Blu-ray and agree the sound is very good, even through 2 channel via the hi-fi.

As to the film, I was disappointed as post Skyfall I thought the idea was to refresh the franchise. Spectre is full of Bond clichés (as Tony suggests) and I, alongside several of my friends, think the franchise is now dated and lacking in invention and story writing.

3/5 for me  -  a good romp but linking together a slew of action scenes, with big pyrotechnics sets, leads me to think 'can do better',

Hi,

Just watched this last night on HD Sky rental. Couldn't get into it at any level, ok, but just dull, and the odd 5 minute quickie with the lovely Monica Bellucci was just weird and the chemistry with the younger woman absolute zero.

Really ordinary editing, odd cuts, and lots of wearing sunglasses and a daft set-up with the main baddie, all in all a real disappointment, except the opening staged action sequence which was well shot.

My thought was no wonder Daniel Craig has had enough, it was pretty poor fare, for a Bond (wish I went to the Cinema mind with bit more atmosphere but at home this was poor, sorry)

Bond by numbers....

Richard Dane posted:

I watched '71 on DVD last night, courtesy of Lovefilm.  For once the hype is spot on.  This really is a gripping film, and a remarkable directorial debut for Yann Demange, pinning you to the edge of your seat, while also keeping your brain engaged throughout.  Highly recommended.

I watched this on Film when they debuted it a while back. It really is superb. Yann Demange is going to have one heck of a career if this debut is anything to go by. 

Dan43 posted:

Happy Listener posted:

Hi Tony and Mike,

I watched this on Blu-ray and agree the sound is very good, even through 2 channel via the hi-fi.

As to the film, I was disappointed as post Skyfall I thought the idea was to refresh the franchise. Spectre is full of Bond clichés (as Tony suggests) and I, alongside several of my friends, think the franchise is now dated and lacking in invention and story writing.

3/5 for me  -  a good romp but linking together a slew of action scenes, with big pyrotechnics sets, leads me to think 'can do better',

Hi,

Just watched this last night on HD Sky rental. Couldn't get into it at any level, ok, but just dull, and the odd 5 minute quickie with the lovely Monica Bellucci was just weird and the chemistry with the younger woman absolute zero.

Really ordinary editing, odd cuts, and lots of wearing sunglasses and a daft set-up with the main baddie, all in all a real disappointment, except the opening staged action sequence which was well shot.

My thought was no wonder Daniel Craig has had enough, it was pretty poor fare, for a Bond (wish I went to the Cinema mind with bit more atmosphere but at home this was poor, sorry)

Bond by numbers....

We watched it at the cinema and it was just as poor there! Shame as the 1st 2 DC films were really good but i don't think Sam Mendes is cut out to do this type of film. He owes us another American Beauty after his last two Bond films.